Distribution of iron-oxidizing bacteria in the Nordic uranium tailings deposit, Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6516481

Silver, M

Iron-oxidizing bacteria are present within the top 2 m and near the water table-capillary fringe of the vegetated Nordic uranium deposit, Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada. They are distributed uniformly in the top 0.5 m of unvegetated tailings. The locations of these bacteria correlated with zones of pyrite oxidation as delineated in previous studies by the formation of soluble iron and sulfate. Heterotrophic bacteria are also present in the tailings, with greatest concentrations at the surface and near the water table-capillary fringe. Sulfate-reducing bacteria were detected in the soil and peat at the base of the tailings. The results of this study suggest that the establishment of vegetation directly upon the tailings surface does not arrest bacterial pyrite oxidation.

• Research Organization: Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology, Ottawa, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 6516481
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 53:4; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
CANADA
CHALCOGENIDES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GROWTH
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
MILL TAILINGS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
ONTARIO
PYRITE
RESOURCES
SOLID WASTES
SULFIDE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TAILINGS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
URANIUM DEPOSITS
WASTES